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Private parking firms pursue one million more motorists

Graeme Paton, Transport Correspondent

April 21 2017, 12:01am, The Times

The number of owner records obtained by firms across Britain has soared by 28 per cent in 12 monthsPHIL NOBLE/RETUERS

The number of motorists hit with “extortionate” penalties of up to £100 by private parking firms has soared by more than a million in 12 months, causing renewed anger over the government’s failure to crack down on cowboy operators.

Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that a record 4.7 million vehicle details were released to parking companies — allowing them to pursue motorists for payments — in 2016-17.

The number of owner records obtained by firms across Britain has soared by 28 per cent in 12 months and increased more than 17-fold over the past decade. This covers cars parks operated for NHS hospitals, supermarkets, retail parks, pubs and hotels.

The DVLA charges firms £2.50 for each record released, suggesting that it…